Search found 311 matches

by theunknowntech
Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What UN-frugal thing do you do? What do you splurge on?]
Replies: 785
Views: 84183

Re: Name something you bought that wasn't cheap and glad you did

A Sawstop table saw. I have twenty digits and I'm very attached to them.

Bonus content: a set of Festool sanders and a Festool shop vac to assist them. These things are unbelievably great, I can sand all day long and it's like it never happened (observably, except on the work.)

I'm retired, I've been around and seen a lot of stuff go down, and that's what the money's for.
by theunknowntech
Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Faces Places. I highly recommend _buying_ this movie. It's cheaper than Ambien, and it lasts much longer.
by theunknowntech
Thu Oct 27, 2016 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 38
Views: 7835

Re: Anyone try YourMechanic ?

Interesting, so the mechanics actually comes and works on the car in your office packing lot, like i did fixing my car in a snowstorm behind the dorm in college? So, rather than working in a well lit, climate controlled garage bay with access to all the specialized tools, diagnostic gear, air wrenches; and the car comfortably up on a lift - he has to put it up on jackstands and crawl under there with a flashlight like I do in my garage. And if he runs into a more serious problem or needs extra parts he has to drive off to the parts shop leaving your car in pieces - hopefully not overnight if its a special order part (a garage just makes a call and parts gets delivered). Wahoo, sounds like quite the deal for the pointy end of the spear. So ...
by theunknowntech
Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

A Hologram for the King, with Tom Hanks starring. Had some funny parts and Tom Hanks is always good. We saw it in the theater - Tom Hanks was good indeed, but I think the plot was weak, really, just a pretext to see those faraway places on the screen. I'll disagree here. This film was a breath of fresh air, after all the made-for-international-profit foo we have to put up with. If we have to see another comic book superhero movie, well I'll... Look at our planet from orbit and try to pick out the borders, I dare you. Hologram was a provocatively good film. Sometimes you have to just sit and think about stuff. I think you may have misunderstood - I love to see foreign countries depicted in movies, learning about new cultures, and foreign tr...
by theunknowntech
Tue Aug 23, 2016 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

madbrain wrote:
Ricola wrote:A Hologram for the King, with Tom Hanks starring. Had some funny parts and Tom Hanks is always good.
We saw it in the theater - Tom Hanks was good indeed, but I think the plot was weak, really, just a pretext to see those faraway places on the screen.
I'll disagree here. This film was a breath of fresh air, after all the made-for-international-profit foo we have to put up with. If we have to see another comic book superhero movie, well I'll...

Look at our planet from orbit and try to pick out the borders, I dare you. Hologram was a provocatively good film. Sometimes you have to just sit and think about stuff.
by theunknowntech
Sun Aug 21, 2016 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Restaurant Stop on Road Trips
Replies: 142
Views: 18172

Re: Favorite Restaurant Stop on Road Trips

RoadHouseFan wrote:Ours is Cracker Barrel - great food and service at a reasonable price in a family friendly setting.
Okay, I'll say it. Popeyes. Their fries are incredible. Keep a small jar of Hellmans with you for dipping. (And a pack of handywipes.) Insert your favorite bug-eyed Robert Crumb illustration here. Hope your LDL is under control.
by theunknowntech
Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

miles monroe wrote:
sco wrote:I watched Sausage Party this weekend.

It was exactly what I expected, One and a half hours of cursing and food doing funny things :)
it was...different. :)

it was everything i thot it would be. and more.
I'd like to have been a fly on the wall in the meeting of the ratings board when they were trying to decide why that shouldn't get an NC-17. The politics there would make an interesting story. Hysterically funny, but not suitable for the "sensitive ones". Too much explaining to do.
by theunknowntech
Sun Aug 21, 2016 6:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

denismurf wrote:
theunknowntech wrote:Marguerite, a luminously great French film now on disk. IMO it makes the most intensely moving use of Mozart's Figaro since the original. It's also quite funny.
Is this the same movie as Marguerite et Julien?
No. This is the movie based on the story that "Florence Foster Jenkins" is also based on, but which precedes the latter. It would be an interesting exercise in comparative film studies to see both of them and see which you prefer and why. :^) I love Meryl as much as the next guy, but she's got some stiff competition here.
by theunknowntech
Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724180

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

"The Making of Donald Trump" by D.C. Johnson (winner of the Pulitzer Prize,) released a few weeks ago, is a delightful synopsis of what you would already know if you had been diligently keeping up with current events. Every day something new comes up, the NYTimes has been very good with their investigative journalism lately, after previously falling short (in disbelief, possibly.) This book, which will get you up to speed sufficiently to appreciate the new reportage, is a great read, _especially_ if you just crawled out from under a rock. Bravo!
by theunknowntech
Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airbnb rental review
Replies: 32
Views: 5635

Re: Airbnb rental review

It is my second rental and I am not sure what is the proper feedback. I put in 4 requirements, entire apartment, AC, on premise parking and free wifi. Normally, AC is not typically installed or needed except during the hot summer days, rather rare but happened during our 3_day stay. Well, when I tried to turn down the thermostat, my wife realized that the was no air Vent on the ceiling. So I actually called the owner who got back with me in 15 minutes. AC was only available in the foyer and outside hallways. Being her fault, she was willing to refund our fees for all 3 days if we could find another place. Being 4 pm, I could not find anything for 2 or 3 nights. BTW, I booked this about 4 weeks earlier. The good thing was night time cooled ...
by theunknowntech
Wed Aug 10, 2016 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Solo Travel
Replies: 40
Views: 6008

Re: Solo Travel

Here's one example where it didn't work out too well:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/world ... odayspaper

It pays to speak the language.
by theunknowntech
Wed Aug 10, 2016 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: auto air conditioner recharge
Replies: 15
Views: 2316

Re: auto air conditioner recharge

westie wrote:Is it fair to say that the A/C system is a closed system and if any refrigerant is leaking there's a bigger issue on the horizon.

My wife came home with a "it just needs to be topped off" remark at the dealership.
It's not completely closed because there's a compressor shaft seal and the engine compartment that it lives in is a very hostile environment. If the compressor is not used very often, that seal can dry out and the refrigerant can seep out slowly. If the compressor has not been used in _years_ (like the car has been sitting for a long time) that can be a real problem. But modern cars are very good about this not happening with normal use. You should be able to go a dozen years or more without any significant concerns.
by theunknowntech
Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Marguerite, a luminously great French film now on disk. IMO it makes the most intensely moving use of Mozart's Figaro since the original. It's also quite funny.
by theunknowntech
Tue Aug 09, 2016 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: auto air conditioner recharge
Replies: 15
Views: 2316

Re: auto air conditioner recharge

An air conditioning system that is low on pressure and needs to be recharged means there is a leak somewhere. It may be a very slow leak, meaning that a charge will buy you a year or two - but nonetheless its a leak. Don't let anyone try and tell that its normal for a properly operating AC to loose refrigerant over time. Its not. If you want to do it right and not end up repetitively charging it up, have a qualified shop find the leak and fix it. Maybe, but for an older car, I would rather pay $30 for a can of refrigerant at Wal*Mart than pay a "qualified shop" to find and fix a very slow leak." So far, one shot in 9 years is really not a big inconvenience. An auto a/c system is in a delicate equilibrium between liquid and g...
by theunknowntech
Mon Aug 08, 2016 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724180

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

At the risk of going off-topic I don't think it's necessarily laudible to "not give a whit what anyone else thinks of you". And I don't think that describes Feynman. I've read much of what he has written and much of what others have written about him. From what I can tell, he was a charming and witty man who made friends easily. Many people thought very highly of him. That doesn't happen to people who don't care. It could probably be said that he didn't suffer fools gladly. Or perhaps he found fools entertaining and didn't much care what they thought of him! People who say "I don't care what anybody thinks of me" usually do. Feynman was (perhaps subconsciously) a genius at self-promotion. He was a revered figure at Calt...
by theunknowntech
Mon Aug 08, 2016 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: auto air conditioner recharge
Replies: 15
Views: 2316

Re: auto air conditioner recharge

dickyboy wrote:Anyone ever recharge (DIY) his own auto air conditioner. How difficult to do on 2012 model ?
2012 model of what? If a 5-year-old car needs an a/c recharge, something is very wrong somewhere. You should take the vehicle to a good a/c shop and have them look at it. DIY not recommended, too many ways to screw up (some of which may lead to serious injury.) I've seen people trying to recharge their a/c on the side of the road, and I walk away quickly.
by theunknowntech
Mon Aug 08, 2016 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724180

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

At the risk of going off-topic I don't think it's necessarily laudible to "not give a whit what anyone else thinks of you". And I don't think that describes Feynman. I've read much of what he has written and much of what others have written about him. From what I can tell, he was a charming and witty man who made friends easily. Many people thought very highly of him. That doesn't happen to people who don't care. It could probably be said that he didn't suffer fools gladly. Or perhaps he found fools entertaining and didn't much care what they thought of him! People who say "I don't care what anybody thinks of me" usually do. Feynman was (perhaps subconsciously) a genius at self-promotion. He was a revered figure at Calt...
by theunknowntech
Sun Aug 07, 2016 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724180

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

At the risk of going off-topic I don't think it's necessarily laudible to "not give a whit what anyone else thinks of you". And I don't think that describes Feynman. I've read much of what he has written and much of what others have written about him. From what I can tell, he was a charming and witty man who made friends easily. Many people thought very highly of him. That doesn't happen to people who don't care. It could probably be said that he didn't suffer fools gladly. Or perhaps he found fools entertaining and didn't much care what they thought of him! People who say "I don't care what anybody thinks of me" usually do. Feynman was (perhaps subconsciously) a genius at self-promotion. He was a revered figure at Calt...
by theunknowntech
Mon Aug 01, 2016 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Switch from Allstate to Amica/USAA?
Replies: 34
Views: 5231

Re: Switch from Allstate to Amica/USAA?

I currently have two cars and our home insured through Allstate. After reading some bad reviews of Allstate's handling of claims I'm considering switching to either Amica or USAA based on positive reviews. My experience in Allstate's handling of claims directly thru "corporate" (automated claims processing) has been not that great. My experience in Allstate's handling of claims with the direct involvement of our Allstate agent has been extremely good. Take that for what you will. Your agent is on your side, he wants to retain your business. Use that to your advantage. There are insurance companies out there who don't give a d@mn about how things turn out, they think you're just another sheeple amenable to bending stuff back into ...
by theunknowntech
Fri Jul 29, 2016 11:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

'Eye in the Sky', which is a lovely film that will test your ethical stamina. We are not allowed to talk about politics here, but none are required.
by theunknowntech
Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSA MANDATORY cell phone based multifactor authentication [now RESCINDED]
Replies: 168
Views: 27971

Re: SSA MANDATORY cell phone based multifactor authentication

mrc wrote:I am all for tight security. But I just received this notice from the SSA (emphasis added). Short notice, and denial of online access without a text-capable device.
<menomena menomena>
I got that email too. I thought it was a fraud, a clever fraud.

Who do they think we are? I don't text. Somebody once tried to teach me how to text, and it was comical. In the name of Akhenaten, texting is for the little people.
by theunknowntech
Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is market out of Sync
Replies: 25
Views: 3607

Re: Is market out of Sync

mule wrote:It seems to me like the market is just overvalued. I can't figure what has changed so much from the beginning of the year until now to cause the bull market we're seeing.

What are your thoughts?
The _global_ market is still not quite back up to where it was in May of last year (2015). It has certainly seen some ups and downs between then and now. Are you suggesting that nothing has been accomplished in the world, in the interim? Methinks we have some overdue catchup to allow for.
by theunknowntech
Tue Jul 05, 2016 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What kind of car are you driving?
Replies: 368
Views: 46045

Re: What kind of car are you driving?

lazydavid wrote:
edge wrote:If your winters are cold you should be swapping out the pilots. They make your car a death trap.
They are, and I certainly do.
Looking back thru the thread, Michelin Pilot SS's are a death trap? Oh dear. These are God's Gift to the driver, like no other. What you do with them on icy roads I have no idea (we don't countenance that weather down here.) But they are a IMO a Modern Marvel in any conditions I've encountered in South Texas.
by theunknowntech
Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: synthetic oil changes
Replies: 134
Views: 20268

Re: synthetic oil changes

Cindyjrn wrote:There's people on this forum that make far bigger decisions in their life than when to change their oil by asking "some guys on the internet."
A lack of respect for authority still has its place.
by theunknowntech
Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: replacing an iPhone, first time with the "new non-subsidized model"
Replies: 48
Views: 6867

Re: replacing an iPhone, first time with the "new non-subsidized model"

TOJ wrote:
jabberwock wrote:ATT will also sell you the phone on a 24 monthly payment plan at 0% interest so it works just the same as the old plan but now it is overtly apparent what the phone actually cost you.
I think this, more than anything, is the reason behind slumping iphone sales. Transparent cost of the device alters consumer behavior.
I think you are totally on the money here. Apple had a good thing going for a while. Now it's different. At least in the United States.
by theunknowntech
Tue Jul 05, 2016 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: synthetic oil changes
Replies: 134
Views: 20268

Re: synthetic oil changes

Not directed at anyone in particular (far from it, my eyes glaze over,) but, would you really trust "some guys on the internet" to tell you when to change your oil, and with what, when the owner's manual is clear on it?

This never ceases to amaze me.
by theunknowntech
Wed Jun 29, 2016 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Encyclopedia, World Book, Complete Set, 1960 Ed.
Replies: 43
Views: 10487

Re: Encyclopedia, World Book, Complete Set, 1960 Ed.

rakornacki1 wrote:Does anyone have any experience or useable outlets for a complete set of the World Book Encyclopedia (1960 Ed.), white cover?
Do you have a bunker, a.k.a fallout shelter? Put them in there.

"10 Cloverfield Lane", great movie! Work it on out. Put that movie in there too. Scare the crap out of the survivors.
by theunknowntech
Wed Jun 29, 2016 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

amateurnovice wrote:
leo383 wrote:There Will Be Blood on Netflix.

I didn't see it when it was in theaters and I'm a pretty big Daniel Day-Lewis fan, but the ending was so hugely disappointing that the movie was ruined for me.
Could you specify what about the ending was so disappointing for you?
"I drink your milkshake" <slurp slurp> One of the great scenes in modern cinema. Yes, I can understand how that would be upsetting to some people. A totally brilliant film.
by theunknowntech
Mon May 23, 2016 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WW2 Books & Education
Replies: 91
Views: 6903

Re: WW2 Books & Education

bryantwfox wrote:I hope this post does not go against the forum rules, but as we approach the 6th of June, I would like to ask my fellow members a question. I hope - due to the nature of this post - that it does not get deleted or closed.

I am a younger person who would like to read more about World War II. Can anybody please give me some advice or guidance on how to start learning? What is the best first book to read? The best books in general? How should I proceed with this task?
Anything by Max Hastings. He boils it down to what really matters, which is the human element. And does so brilliantly.
by theunknowntech
Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fama French Factors for BRIC´s
Replies: 5
Views: 1004

Re: Fama French Factors for BRIC´s

in_reality wrote:
Mighty wrote:Hello guys,
You might also change your gender specific salutation.

'Hello esteemed investors,"
"Hello knowledgeable investors,"
"Hello financial gurus (or at least leaning on the informed side),"
He's talking about BRIC's, so the appropriate salutation is "Greetings comrades,"
by theunknowntech
Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BH Way of Landscaping?
Replies: 42
Views: 6408

Re: BH Way of Landscaping?

gd wrote:BTW, how come giving Boglehead financial advice requires knowing extensive detail, but lawn care advice doesn't even require knowing what continent you're on? :D
Or the details of your HOA covenant. (We'd rip out our front lawn and xeriscape it, but we can't. There is no higher form of petty tyrant than... oh never mind.)
by theunknowntech
Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BH Way of Landscaping?
Replies: 42
Views: 6408

Re: BH Way of Landscaping?

A lot of the fertilizers you get at places like Lowes / Home Depot and hardware stores have a high nitrogen content to promote quick surface growth without providing much nourishment to the root system. The high nitrogen blends also tend to burn the grass if you don't water them immediately. I prefer the more balanced 12-12-12 blend that I get at a local feed store. A few years ago a survey was done by the local County Extension Agent (Travis County, Texas) to measure the NPK levels in the soils of (local) homeowners. It was found that in nearly all cases the P and K had risen to levels that were semi-poisonous to turf grass. This was because people had been using the ubiquitous 4-1-3 and 3-1-2 etc lawn fertilizers commonly available to co...
by theunknowntech
Thu Apr 14, 2016 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soapbox (car safety features)
Replies: 240
Views: 34001

Re: Soapbox (car safety features)

Keim wrote:I'm a car guy. Love to drive. Have a restored classic I work on. Yada yada yada...

Only one of the OPs listed features I'd want to see mandatory-or want on my car-is the back-up camera.

If a person can't be attentive enough to handle the other items, they shouldn't be in the drivers seat.
Unfortunately, they are. That's why I love these features. Other drivers scare me.
by theunknowntech
Thu Apr 14, 2016 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724180

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Dan Lyons' "Disrupted" is burning up the wire right now, and I read it last week, so dibs.

I hesitate to recommend it here, because Lyons gets some of the finance things wrong, in the expected way. But he does nail some of the cultural excesses of tech startup foo, and hilariously so. Every now and then you need a hit of office politics gone horribly wrong, by gaslight. You've gotta know where to stand when that bolt comes off.
by theunknowntech
Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto collision, best way to claim
Replies: 25
Views: 3596

Re: Auto collision, best way to claim

^^^ Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of every forum page: No guarantees are made as to the accuracy of the information on this site or the appropriateness of any advice to your particular situation. Never try to do something yourself without the guidance of your own insurance company. They have lots of lawyers who deal with this every day and will take care of the details on your behalf. There will be no charge to you - it's part of your premium costs. All you need to do is ask them for legal assistance to settle the claim. This is excellent advice: It is sometimes better to put in a claim on your own collision coverage to get the vehicle repaired, etc. - and then let your insurance company go after the "at fault" driver a...
by theunknowntech
Sun Apr 03, 2016 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto collision, best way to claim
Replies: 25
Views: 3596

Re: Auto collinsion, best way to claim

Your problem then is to find a _good_ body shop that is willing to accept the shop rate that GEICO allows. Unless you have a pre-existing relationship with that shop, this may be difficult. My experience with our own insurance company (State Farm) has been excellent when they take care of and arrange the repairs. The shops they have picked or recommended rate high on survey and it has been common that once the repair shop getsinto the work, they find more complications - then it gets worked out between the repair shop and State Farm. For the record, my comment was specific to GEICO, and is based on personal experience. It makes me cringe to think I might be hit by a driver insured with them. The better body shops I've dealt with just shake...
by theunknowntech
Sun Apr 03, 2016 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto collision, best way to claim
Replies: 25
Views: 3596

Re: Auto collinsion, best way to claim

Hi, My car (2015 Mazda CX-5) was rear-ended on the freeway last week. The car is severely damaged, including frame damage. I am going thru my carrier, GEICO, at present. The adjuster got an estimate of over $9k to fix it, which GEICO will take care of and then recover if possible. But, I don't want the car any longer, even after the repair, due to the extreme damage, and the diminished value (DV). I don't have collision report yet, so don't know what coverage the at-fault driver has, if any. GEICO will only repair it, they will not write me a check for the Actual Cash Value. I know I can file a DV claim with the at-fault driver carrier (assuming he had insurance!), but trying to avoid that if there's a better way to proceed. Any opinions o...
by theunknowntech
Sat Apr 02, 2016 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used car buying Qs
Replies: 51
Views: 6353

Re: Used car buying Qs

If you know better then the secondary car market (which is huge), go for it. But I doubt it, used cars are priced accordingly. Like I said above, just get a Honda or a Toyota and be done with it. So much is popular lore, handed down from generation to generation. I like Nissans and Mazdas because I respect their engineering. They may fail, but the failure modes are within the realm of reason, not mysticism. You can follow their thinking. You can follow the thinking of Honda engineers as well, particularly when you are rebuilding their transmissions (very highly strung. Them, not me.) Nissans (then called "Datsuns") were easily better and more reliable than Toyotas (then called "Toyopets") back in the 60's. From personal...
by theunknowntech
Fri Apr 01, 2016 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do in Austin, TX
Replies: 52
Views: 8114

Re: What to do in Austin, TX

hoopy wrote:I agree that salt lick the sit-down, in-town restaurant isn't the best option. However, the rustic, out of town, original salt lick has a lot of ambiance, as well as good food. I think it's worth it for the experience, especially for first time visitors.

If you do decide to go to salt lick, note that it is BYOB.
It's also BYOcash, they don't take credit cards.
by theunknowntech
Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724180

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

My wife is reading 'Infinite Jest', by David Foster Wallace. It has kept her occupied for _weeks_, to the point of delirium, and she's not done yet. It is the best value in a book of fiction that I have ever encountered, even better than Proust's 'Remembrance'. I highly recommend it.
by theunknowntech
Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SP 500 Index Fund vs Total Stock Market index fund
Replies: 55
Views: 29411

Re: SP 500 Index Fund vs Total Stock Market index fund

Amarowsky wrote:So would it be considered sufficient to use a SP500 instead of a TSM etf when starting a "3-fund" portfolio? I wanted to start to carve my 401k in this image, but lack the option of a TSM. And it seems if they are so close to tax efficiency, average return, and expense ratio that the opportunity cost would not be critically significant choosing one over the other.
If you can stomach 4 funds rather than 3, TSM is inferior to SP500+SCV because the latter allows you to avoid SCG in your portfolio, which has an anomalously high risk/reward ratio. The difference in tax efficiency is IMO negligable.
by theunknowntech
Wed Mar 30, 2016 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Copper in Brake Fluid
Replies: 43
Views: 10888

Re: Copper in Brake Fluid

BTW, many if not most people decide that they can live without ABS once they see the bill to repair it. I can't. I'd be more than happy to live without ABS. I've spent most of my driving years before ABS came out, and I know when to pump and not pump the brakes on slick surfaces. I hate it when the ABS takes over from me. But I wonder if when the ABS goes out does that make the rest of the braking system more difficult to operate? Traction control is mandatory on newer cars. It's a Very Good Thing. It can save us from ourselves, often when we least expect it. The ABS system integrates with it, typically, in a non-trivial way. So if you lose ABS, your traction control will be compromised or not work at all. I'm not willing to let things get...
by theunknowntech
Wed Mar 30, 2016 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used car buying Qs
Replies: 51
Views: 6353

Re: Used car buying Qs

bloom2708 wrote:Search for a Craigslist diamond in the rough.

One factor to consider is will your kid drive the car if it super uncool.
Look for a Pontiac Aztek. Hard to find parts for them, though.

That gum you like is going to come back in style.
by theunknowntech
Wed Mar 30, 2016 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Copper in Brake Fluid
Replies: 43
Views: 10888

Re: Copper in Brake Fluid

II would also feel uncomfortable recommending that anyone do this without access to a factory service manual for the car. There is an order in which things should be done, and there may be very specific procedures that you're required to follow in order to properly bleed the ABS system, as well as special service tools and a manufacturer-specific computer interface to the system with some cars. This is not new, Honda was requiring four-figures in tooling to bleed the ABS system in some of their cars twenty years ago. You should know whether this is relevant for your car, and the dealer is one resource. I wouldn't trust a muffler shop with this. (I wouldn't trust most dealers with it either, actually.) The factory service manual will tell y...
by theunknowntech
Tue Mar 29, 2016 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Copper in Brake Fluid
Replies: 43
Views: 10888

Re: Copper in Brake Fluid

I would feel uncomfortable letting brake fluid sit in one of my cars for more than three years. It tends to get ignored by the factory-recommended service schedules because the effects of deterioration fall outside the usual factory warranty period. ABS systems in particular are sensitive to this, and tend to be VERY expensive to replace parts for. I would also feel uncomfortable recommending that anyone do this without access to a factory service manual for the car. There is an order in which things should be done, and there may be very specific procedures that you're required to follow in order to properly bleed the ABS system, as well as special service tools and a manufacturer-specific computer interface to the system with some cars. Th...
by theunknowntech
Tue Mar 22, 2016 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

How do you _define_ crazy? It's a matter of interpretation. You'll never look at Columbo the same way again. There's a lot to see here.
by theunknowntech
Tue Mar 22, 2016 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windows 10
Replies: 54
Views: 8050

Re: Windows 10

If Microsoft sneaks in an "upgrade" to Win10, it should ask you to confirm that you accept the "End User License Agreement". You don't have to accept it, and if you decline it, the install will be rolled back to the earlier OS (although it may take a while.)

Still, it's best to not go there in the first place.
by theunknowntech
Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086252

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Beezthree wrote:
jginseattle wrote:Sicario is a brilliant, brutal drug-war thriller from director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy). Excellent cinematography by Roger Deakins.
my favorite movie of the year.
Seconded, gripping from beginning to end. A fantasia of "does this make any sense at all" and then it recovers and it does. Quite a trip.
by theunknowntech
Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Volkswagen Company [- Invest in it?]
Replies: 54
Views: 7299

Re: Volkswagen Company

Hello Epsilon, Anyway, the point was made that the German government is not about to let VW become a failed company . Is Volkswagen a viable ongoing enterprise. I would say absolutly. Has it been a profitable enterprise, and will it continue to be. I believe so. Of course the US government was not about to let GM become a failed company , either. This was not and should not be a comfort to GM and VW stock holders. It was and should be a comfort to GM and VW car owners, employees, suppliers, etc. You make an excellent point. I believe that GM was a failed company. They make junk and seemed to have no control over their costs or quality. They were a terrible business. I can't let this false mythologizing stand. GM was not brought down by the...
by theunknowntech
Sun Nov 08, 2015 3:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is DIY Car maintenance that hard these days?
Replies: 51
Views: 7068

Re: Is DIY Car maintenance that hard these days?

Unknowntech, Freddy: thanks. I went a'googling trying to find one for a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. I found lots of sites saying they had all kinds of manuals, but none close to that except for one sketchy Russian sounding site that wanted registration. I didn't find anything that looked like a legit source. If you know of any places, I'd be very grateful. Back in the old days of 2010, they didn't have electronic copies, or if they did they were the same price as paper. I complained a couple of layers up at Toyota USA w/o success. You might have to ask on one of the sites dedicated to that type of vehicle. In the meantime there is alldata.com, which is a highly regarded site that aftermarket shops use. It's not free, but it's not overly expensive....